"I wanna be like them too," Ceasar said, surprising Zane.
Both stared across the wide field where two identical tall men had arrived—one dark-haired, one pale-haired—both dressed in clothes that screamed old sophisticated royalty.
Their pale skin and crimson eyes mirrored Azael's, just different faces. The woman with them looked uncomfortable as hell, shifting under their watchful gazes.
Even while she sat with Elana and Cara.
"Caesar, we don't even know what they are," Zane muttered. "I'm just relieved Elana was allowed to come with us. These weirdos keep multiplying."
Caesar scoffed. "You of all people should want to be more than just an ordinary human. Did you forget the way he easily choked you without touching you?"
"That's because he's not human," Zane gritted out, part embarrassed, part resentful. "If he were, he wouldn't dare."
"Exactly why I'm dissatisfied." Caesar's jaw tightened. "I want that kind of power. To be something more than just flesh and blood. Those men too, are the same.
And that beautiful woman, Eira…I want her. But I need to be on her level to have her."
Zane looked at him, confused. "And Cara?"
Caesar let out a slow breath. "If I head out there with Cara, I'm dead meat. The king would make sure of that."
"I don't quite understand," Zane said.
"You don't have to. Just understand that right now, no matter how skilled we are, no matter the years we've served as soldiers,"
Zane's gaze shifted back across the field.
The twins were now looking straight at them.
Twin crimson eyes.
Hunters sizing up prey.
"To them," Caesar added quietly, "we're nothing but game."
**
The sweet, fruity scent of the new woman—Diana—stirred in Elana's nostrils.
"Bloody creeps," her stern soft voice muttered.
"So you're a captive of those men?" Cara asked.
"Yes, and keep your voice down." Diana snapped. "They might hear you."
"I'm sorry about that," Elana said softly.
"You don't need to be," Diana scoffed, "I need information on the tunnels beneath this castle. If I come up with a plan, we could escape together."
"Escape?" Cara laughed lightly. "Most girls would be willing captives of those two."
Elana blinked. "Why do you say that, Cara?"
Diana scoffed. "Don't let their pretty faces fool you, they're monsters on the inside. Vampires. And I'm no gullible woman who'll fall for their deceit. I'm a queen."
The confidence in her tone made Elana's brows rise—brave woman—for someone clearly being held captive.
Vampires. Like Azael.
"We're not captives," Cara said, "We're here because of Elana."
"Vampires are not to be trusted," Diana said firmly. "You're probably here because he wants something from all of you."
Elana stiffened when Diana's fruity scent came closer, lowering her voice.
"And I see he's been feeding off you too."
Heat rose to Elana's cheeks instantly.
Azael's tongue between her thighs flashed through her mind and she swallowed hard.
Could Diana somehow tell?
"Oh he has," Diana said with certainty, "Told you the bastards all had ulterior motives. But if you cooperate with me, we can leave before they drain you dry."
"But he isn't holding us against our will," Elana said quietly. She definitely couldn't admit that she wanted him to go even further…or that she was the one who pushed him too far, only for him to restrain himself.
"You two are impossible," Diana said. "Are those your men by the fountain? They're human too I see."
"Not really," Cara said. "But one of them is mine. We're soldiers granted refuge from the war."
"Lumere," Diana murmured. "Your king is infamous. Across the other kingdoms, it is believed he induced the war."
"Who knows?" Cara said, her voice hinting that she was clearly avoiding the topic.
"Perhaps I could have a better conversation with the men about escaping this place," Diana said, her scent began drifting away, then a chilled male voice cut in.
"Not another step, Diana. Your cuffs are still in my possession if your wrists are itching."
She scoffed. "You said I could mingle, Thorne."
"With the girls, not the men." .
Then Diana's fruity scent returned closer, as she sat on the other side of Elana on the bench, cursing under her breath.
**
The forests hummed with insects and night birds.
Azael stood atop his castle, his vision stretched across his territory through the eyes of his bats.
Perhaps he would soak in the spring tonight—it might calm the grief coiled inside him.
Movement caught his attention.
Elana.
She had stepped onto the balcony, the moon painting her warm skin in silver. The deep green gown edged in black lace and ruby stones hugged her soft form.
Just like the first night she'd stumbled into his castle, her hands drifted along the balcony rail, touching wisteria blooms he used to restrain his more dangerous urges.
"I'm quite intrigued by your choice, my lord," Evren said from beside him.
Azael hadn't even sensed him appear—he'd been too focused on her.
Azael looked away, forcing his attention across the land. "I'm not sure what you mean, Evren."
"She's a special kind of beauty," Evren said. "I imagine the kind that would capture the heart of a man like you. You don't have to hide it from me."
Azael's gaze returned helplessly to her.
"She's forbidden. Not for a man like me."
"You're simply restraining, my lord. You could make her yours. And if you don't…someone else will."
"Is my…desire that evident?" he asked quietly.
Evren chuckled. "Not just that. She has your mark on her neck."
Elana turned, leaning against the balcony rail, smiling toward the inner part of the room—then Zane stepped out.
Azael's heart dropped. His fists clenched. A reaction he couldn't help even in front of Evren.
"As I said," Evren murmured. "if you don't claim her, another man will. And that human boy doesn't hesitate."
Zane took her hand, that boy never learnt. Perhaps he should just kill him off.
But he had given Elana the freedom to go with the soldiers—he shouldn't have a say in whatever relationship they were having.
"Permit me to ask, my lord," Evren said.
"Go ahead," Azael said, still struggling to force his attention to his territory instead of where Elana stood with Zane holding her hand.
"Are we going to get back at the lycans for this?"
"Fen isn't dead but he's more than injured," Azael said. "I won't go further than I already have."
"Why? My lord," Evren asked, "I'm for an eye for an eye. Let us invade and kill off these lycan pests."
"I started it, Evren," Azael said. "I trespassed…to save her life."
Silence stretched.
"Then let us finish it," Evren insisted. "Wipe out the entire clan of lycans and their leader with it."
"Unnecessary violence always has casualties,"
Azael's gaze slipped again to Elana. To Zane. To jealousy, he couldn't control.
"At least casualties that we can contain," Evren said. "You could claim and keep her. Only yours to protect… or destroy."
Azael's vision sharpened on Zane leaning in, closer to Elana.
He wanted to kiss her.
Maybe Evren was right, he had power after all.
He could protect her absolutely, especially if the only threat were Fen and his lycans.
Trisha's prophecy couldn't possibly have more to it.
He nearly choked Zane by the throat again—until Elana pushed the boy back herself.
"We have power, my lord," Evren continued. "Let us use it to our advantage. Thorne and I offer more than our presence—we offer strength to avenge Trisha properly. It would be an honor if you consider it."
Then he disappeared, leaving Azael alone with his thoughts as he watched Zane leave Elana on the balcony.
**
"Lady Elana," the eerie voice of a minion called the moment the door opened after Zane left.
"Lord Azael requests your presence."
Elana clenched her fists, wanting to refuse, but it didn't sound like she had a choice.
"I need to sleep."
"I was ordered not to leave without you," the minion said.
Azael wasn't giving her an option.
"Fine."
Almost instantly the minion took her hand, leading her out of her room and down the hallway. They kept walking. She was certain that if they were heading to Azael's chambers, they would have arrived already.
Maybe the throne room?
But the minion led her further until cold air met her skin. They were outside the castle—the sound of horses, a carriage waiting.
"Where are we going?" Elana asked, withdrawing slightly, her uncertainty sharp.
"Do not fret, Lady Elana," the minion said. "No harm can come to you within the safety of lord Azael's territory."
Elana swallowed as it guided her inside the carriage. She sat, her heart pounding softly as it carried her away from the castle.